Engineering Commons^™

The Impact Of A New Bypass Route On The Local Economy And Quality Of Life, Eric C. Thompson, Joseph Miller, Jonathon Roenker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Highway improvements such as bypass construction typically are motivated by a desire to improve the flow and safety of travel. But, given the importance of travel, transportation improvement projects often can affect the local economy and quality of life. This study assesses these potential impacts. The study was conducted by the University of Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research, as part of a subcontract with the Kentucky Transportation Center. The study is one component of a larger Kentucky Transportation Center study entitled Planning Decisions Related to Bypass Construction, Life-Cycle Costs of Access Control, and Safety Impacts of Rural Road …

Evaluation Of Reference Markers (Final Report), Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this research evaluation was to evaluate the reference markers which were installed on sections of interstates and freeways in the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky area, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County area, the Louisville-southern Indiana area, and the Indianapolis area. The evaluation was conducted to determine if the use of reference markers at spacings of 0.1 or 0.2-mile intervals could improve the effectiveness of the emergency response and incident management processes. Also evaluated were color of the markers and the placement location within the right-of-way. Both "white on blue" and "white on green" markers were installed various projects, with some installed …

Evaluation Of Trimarc Procurement Procedures (Final Report), Monica L. Barrett, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

An Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), referred to as TRIMARC (Traffic Response and Incident Management Assisting the River Cities), was installed in the Louisville, Kentucky and southern Indiana area beginning in the summer of 1998. A system integrator approach was used for the installation, operation, and maintenance of this system. The system integrator approach involved using Special Experimental Project No. 14 (SEP-14) procedures to procure the services of an equipment installation contractor.

The SEP-14 process is an innovative means of procuring projects that may be uncharacteristic to the traditional projects normally encountered by highway departments. SEP-14 provides an opportunity to …

Management And Effective Use Of Changeable Message Signs (Final Report), Jennifer R. Walton, Monica L. Barrett, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Changeable message signs (CMS) are used to communicate accurate, timely, and pertinent information to travelers on Kentucky’s roadways. This information helps travelers avoid hazards or delays and respond properly to changing roadway conditions. In an ideal environment, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) would be able to allocate CMS to various areas of the state based upon changing needs. The location of each sign would be monitored, and the message could be controlled and checked remotely.

Currently these capabilities do not exist. KYTC has four different types of portable CMS in use throughout the state. Each type has different internal and …

Evaluation Of Tennessee Reference Markers, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Reference markers were installed on sections of interstates and freeways in Tennessee in 1999 and 2000. An evaluation was conducted to determine if the use of reference markers at spacings of 0.2-mile intervals could improve the effectiveness of emergency response and incident management processes. The evaluation included an.general observational survey, meetings with emergency response personnel, and an opinion survey of the application, placement, color, and overall benefits of the reference markers. The condition of the markers was found to be very good and there appeared to be only minor problems within the relatively short period of time since installation.

Interview …

Ky-Ctds Kentucky Contract Time Determination System (Kyspr 99-195-Lf), Donn E. Hancher, Raymond F. Werkmeister

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This paper reports on the results of research that was funded by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) to develop a new method for determining construction contract time for its highway construction contracts. The current and other DOT systems were analyzed to determine how a new system could provide better estimated duration. It was pre-determined that a PC computer based system was best suited. The development of the system input was developed from KyTC engineers with construction experience. The study advisory committee worked with Kentucky Transportation Center research engineers to develop the basis for the new contract time determination system, called …

Countermeasures For Fatal Crashes On Two-Lane Rural Roads, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Nikiforos Stamatiadis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In the first phase of this study, characteristics of crashes on two-lane rural roads were summarized and compared to all crashes. Also, one-mile sections having high crash rates were identified. In this phase of the study, a detailed analysis was conducted for a random sample of 150 fatal crashes which occurred on a two-lane rural road. Recommendations were made for countermeasures to reduce the number and severity of crashes on this type of roadway. The potential effectiveness of these countermeasures in preventing the crashes or reducing their severity was evaluated.

Crashes were selected from the years of 1996 through 1998. …

Innovative Financing Options For Kentucky’S Transportation Infrastructure, Merl M. Hackbart

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A strong linkage exists between economic growth and the availability of an adequate and efficient transportation system. Due to its location, geography and economy, this linkage — particularly in regard to highway transportation — is critical to continued economic progress in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. However, Kentucky’s ability to provide the infrastructure investments needed to be competitive in the new “global economy” is constrained by the structure of its funding mechanism, the Road Fund. During the last two decades, Road Fund revenue growth has dramatically lagged the growth of motor vehicle travel. As a consequence, Kentucky faces highway investment needs …

Value Of Research: Spr Projects From 1995 To 1999, Donald L. Hartman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report provides summary documentation of the 45 “SPR” research projects funded at the Kentucky Transportation Center (University of Kentucky) from 1995 through 1999. Eleven of these projects were selected for highlighting with up-to-date information regarding results and benefits. They represent a diverse range of research and demonstrate considerable breadth in the implementation of results. Abstracts for all the projects are include in the appendix. A brief discussion of the need/purpose of research, the research process, and the program areas of research at the Kentucky Transportation Center is included.

Report On County Road Finance And Fhwa Biennial Form 1998-1999, Doug Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report shows the revenues and expenditures associated with county and city resources for fiscal year 1998-1999 within the state of Kentucky. Federal Highway Form 536, which is included as the primary product of this project, shows where all revenues were generated as well as all allocations of the local highway funds. Also included within this report is a detailed report on county road finance, which is widely used within government throughout Kentucky to determine where allocated funding has been spent.

Safety Impacts Of Rural Road Construction, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Crash data in Kentucky show that the fatal crash rate on two-lane rural roads is substantially higher than on any other type of road. Improvements have been proposed at some locations on this type of road which involve either upgrading the existing two-lane road or adding lanes resulting in a four-lane road. As part of the public information process, highway officials have been asked to document the previous results of this type of construction. The objectives of this study were to: 1) identify sections of two-lane rural roadways where either the two-lane road had been realigned and reconstructed or additional …

I-275 Warrantied Pavement, Boone/Kenton Counties Kentucky, R. Clark Graves, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Interstate 275 in Boone and Kenton Counties (MP 1.05 - 7.15) has been in service for more than 20 years. This rehabilitation project consists of the eastbound lanes from MP 1.04 - 4.07 and both east and westbound from MP 4.07 - 7.15. The westbound lanes from MP 1.04 - 4.07 were rehabilitated in 1991.

Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts 2001 Report, Kentucky Transportation Center, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY’S TRAFFIC COLLISION FACTS report for 2001 is based on collision reports submitted to the Kentucky State Police Records Branch. As required by Kentucky Revised statutes 189.635, “every law enforcement agency whose officers investigate a vehicle accident of which a report must be made...shall file a report of the accident...within ten days after investigation of the accident upon forms supplied by the bureau.” The stated purpose of this requirement is to utilize data on traffic collisions for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in the Commonwealth. Data contained in this report are based solely on the observations …

Evaluation Of Kentucky's Graduated Driver Licensing System, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Lorena C. Steenbergen, Susan H. Pollack, Pamela S. Kidd, Caroline Mccoy

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Kentucky's current GDL program, which applies to drivers up to age 18, was enacted in 1996. The program includes a six-month instruction permit for drivers under age 18 (minimum age 16), a restriction on driving between midnight and 6am and a requirement for adult-supervised driving for permit drivers. In addition, there is a six-point limit on traffic violations with a penalty of license suspension for drivers under age 18, a requirement for a four-hour driving safety education class (or driver education course) and a 0.02 ml/dl limit on blood alcohol concentration (continues up to age 21 ).

Objectives: The …

Analysis Of Traffic Accident Data In Kentucky (1995-1999), Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report includes an analysis of traffic accident data in Kentucky for the years of 1995 through 1999. A primary objective of this study was to determine average accident statistics for Kentucky highways. Average and critical numbers and rates of accidents were calculated for various types of highways in rural and urban areas. These data can be used in Kentucky's procedure to identify locations that have abnormal rates or numbers of accidents.

The other primary objective of this study was to provide data which can be used in the preparation of the problem identification portion of Kentucky's Annual Highway Safety …

2000 Safety Belt Usage Survey In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to establish 2000 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 2000 survey continues to document the results after enactment of a statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994. Data were collected at 200 randomly selected sites spread across Kentucky. Data from the individual sites were combined into a statewide percentage considering function classification, geographic region, and vehicle miles traveled.

The data show that the usage rate increase found in 1999, after a few years where the rate had remained at a stable level, continued in 2000 to a smaller degree. …

Safety Improvements For Two-Lane Rural Roads, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Juan Villalba

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Two-lane rural roads in Kentucky have the highest fatal crash rate of any type of highway in Kentucky. This report is the first phase of a study with the objectives of: 1) identifying safety problems related to crashes on two-lane rural roads, 2) identifying high-crash locations, ad 3) recommending possible improvements. The procedure used in this phase of the study involved an analysis of crash data to identify characteristics of crashes on two-lane rural roads, use of the crash data to identify one-mile sections having critical crash rates, and a review of countermeasures to start development of recommendations to reduce …

Nighttime Construction Issues, Donn E. Hancher, Timothy R. B. Taylor

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report addresses several issues to consider when considering performing highway construction work in Kentucky at night. Surveys of other state departments of transportation and Kentucky highway contractors were made to identify best practices and concerns. An advisory committee of experienced KyTC engineers plus contractor representatives met extensively to identify successful approaches for handling key issues which arise on night-time construction projects.

Seventeen specific recommendations have been proposed to enhance the Cabinet's use of night-time construction for its projects. These cover several issues related to night-time work, including contract requirements, traffic control, law enforcement, personnel issues, lighting and public awareness. …

A-A Highway Safety Study, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

As directed by Legislative action, a traffic safety study for the A-A Highway was to be conducted in fiscal year 1999-2000. An excerpt from the 1998-2000 budget and the Budget Memorandum included the following language related to the scope and direction of the study:

“The Department of Highways shall conduct an intensive traffic accident study on the A-A highway in fiscal year 1999-2000. It shall include an analysis of visibility, signage,lighting, turn lanes, and road striping at each public and private access. The accidents shall be identified by location and by fatalities, major injury, non injury, and minor injury. Causes …

Gfrp Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks (Kyspr 96-169), David Deitz, Issam E. Harik, Hans Gesund

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report investigates the application of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars in concrete bridge decks as a potential replacement or supplement to conventional steel rebars. Tests were conducted to determine the material properties of the GFRP reinforcement, and experiments were performed to study aspects of GFRP rebar placement in actual bridge decks. These included observation of GFRP rebar handling characteristics and worker response during construction. Load tests of full-scale reinforced concrete specimens were conducted to evaluate the characteristics of three reinforcing schemes: (1) an epoxy coated steel (ECS) reinforcing scheme; (2) a GFRP reinforcing scheme, and (3) a Hybrid …

Ranking And Assessment Of Seismic Stability Of Highway Embankments In Kentucky (Kyspr 96-173), Kevin G. Sutterer, Issam E. Harik, David L. Allen, Ron Street

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report presents the findings of three independent studies under the same grant. These were (a) assess and rank highway embankments along priority routes in western Kentucky according to seismic stability, (b) assess the seismic stability of the approach embankment for the U.S. 51 Ohio River crossing near Wickliffe, Kentucky, and (c) evaluate the seismic stability of the U.S. 41 Ohio River twin spans north of Henderson, Kentucky. Seismic stability of bridge foundations was not a part of this study.

The highway ranking assessed over 400 embankments and delineated each as having high, moderate, or little risk of significant failure …

Intelligent Transportation Systems Strategic Plan (Final Report), Jennifer R. Walton, Joseph D. Crabtree, Monica L. Osborne, Jerry G. Pigman, J. M. Weber, Ted H. Grossardt, Donald G. Hartman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report presents a Strategic Plan for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in Kentucky. The purpose of this Strategic Plan is to offer a vision for ITS in Kentucky and to identify key goals for each functional area of ITS. Some of the fundamental elements of achieving the ITS vision are presented and discussed, including public relations and marketing, operations and maintenance, and organizational structure.

This plan serves as the foundation for development of a Statewide ITS Architecture and an ITS Business Plan, both of which are currently in progress.

Results Of Creep Tests On Concrete Cylinders For The Cable-Stayed Bridge At Owensboro, Kentucky, Dan L. Eaton, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Center was requested by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to conduct creep tests on the concrete from the new cable-stayed bridge over the Ohio River at Owensboro. The tests have been completed and the data is included herein.

Results Of Panel Bending Tests And Screw Pullout Tests For Storage Buildings For Stor Mor, Incorporated, David L. Allen, Daniel L. Eaton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) was requested by the Stor-Mor Corporation (SMC) to test a number of building panels that SMC uses to build small storage buildings and small recreational structures. SMC delivered to the KTC laboratories a number of the panels to be tested in bending and other modes as deemed appropriate by KTC. The panels are of sandwich construction consisting of two, thin sheet metal plates and a styrofoam interlayer. Each panel was approximately 64 inches in length and 22 inches in width. The thickness was approximately 1.63 inches.

This report details the testing of the panels and …

Long-Term Monitoring Of Experimental Features, Subtask 2: Alexandria-Ashland Highway (Ky 9) Pavement Performance Monitoring, L. John Fleckenstein, Monica L. Osborne, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Construction on the AA Highway began in late 1985 and was completed in late 1990. Prior to construction, 30 different test sections had been designed into the highway for evaluation. The test sections contain 23 different characteristic qualities and different segment lengths. The segment lengths range from 1.28 to 9.13 miles and took one and a half to four years to complete each segment.

The sections were constructed from various pavement and shoulder designs. The designs are varied by parameters such as the type of subgrade stabilization, drainage type, surface class, surface aggregate, and more. The purpose for monitoring the …

A Recommended Master Plan For The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet To Build A Partnership With The Public, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Donald G. Hartman, Lenahan O'Connell

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Public involvement with proposed projects is necessary to facilitate their timely implementation by state highway agencies. New procedures are necessary to involve the public in the project development process and adequately address their concerns. Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) researchers and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Study Advisory Committee members cooperated to identify a set of recommended actions to be considered for implementation by the Cabinet. That work consisted of a series of “internal” reviews of problems and proposed solutions. That was supplemented by external reviews and interviews conducted by KTC researchers to identify “best practices” of other transportation agencies related to promoting …

Pavement Design Evaluations I-275 Boone And Kenton Counties Mp 1.05-7.15, R. Clark Graves, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Interstate 275 in Boone and Kenton Counties (MP 1.05 - 7.15) has been in service for more than 20 years. The eastbound lanes from MP 1.05 - 4.07 was rehabilitated by rubblization of the existing continuously reinforced concrete pavement, the addition of an open-graded drainage layer and a 9-inch PCC overlay in 1991.

Expansion Of Roadway Reference Log, Kenneth R. Agent, Joel Brumm, Joel Weber

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

There has been a need to expand the route log in order to have a more comprehensive and up-to-date log to accurately locate information on the highway system. The objectives of this study were to: 1) expand the current route log resulting in a more comprehensive route log file containing milepoints for all intersections on state maintained roads and any other needed reference points and 2) recommend a procedure for establishing milepoints and maintaining the file with up-to-date information.

Two types of output resulted from the study. One was an expanded route log computer file. The added milepoints were additional …

Richmond Public Transportation Study Report, Lenahan O'Connell, Bruce Siria

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study looked at the possible costs and benefits associated with the creation of a small deviated fixed route bus service in Richmond. It concluded that the circumstances in Richmond favor the creation of such a system. It also concluded that only one route–operating one bus, twelve hours per day, Monday through Saturday–is needed at this time.

Experimental Maintenance Painting On The I-64 Riverside Expressway In Louisville, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Bobby W. Meade, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Riverside Parkway comprises some 3.2 miles of elevated steel (plate-girder) in downtown Louisville having approximately 24,054 tons of steel. The structures had existing coatings that contained lead. The project posed significant operational and public safety and operational constraints due to close proximity of the structures with residences and businesses along the entire route. In 1996, the KYTC Paint Team developed experimental specifications to re-paint the Parkway by overcoating. Surface preparation procedures included 3,000-psi pressure washing and power-tool cleaning. Containment enclosures were employed throughout the project and hazardous wastes were collected and disposed of. The Parkway spans were painted with …